Conversation

Conversation

When the crowd saw Captain Liu arrive, his words and bearing made it clear that the young man seemed to have some connection to the magistrate.

The Moon Wolf Gang had truly kicked an iron plate this time.

Yet while they detested the Moon Wolf Gang's overbearing, unreasonable ways, they had no pleasant feelings toward the County Yamen either.

If Chen Kang, the Moon Wolf Gang's leader, was a wild wolf, erratic in his actions,

then that magistrate was a cold, venomous serpent. On the surface, he treated you warmly and amiably, but behind your back, perhaps he was merely emptying his stomach, preparing to swallow you whole.

The crowd sighed in dismay.

They felt some regret for what the young man might face in the future.

Upstairs in the inn, inside one of the private rooms.

A young man stood by the window, watching the street below. When he saw Lu Zhaojin leave with Captain Liu and the others, surprise flashed through his hawk-like eyes.

Lu Zhaojin seemed to sense something. He suddenly turned around, yet saw only an empty window.

His brows drew together slightly. Just now, he had felt someone's gaze spying on him.

Seeing Lu Zhaojin's strange reaction, Captain Liu followed his line of sight. Finding no one there, he could not help asking, "Young hero, did you leave something upstairs? I can send someone to fetch it."

Lu Zhaojin withdrew his gaze and shook his head. "No."

He glanced at the bloodstained clothes on his body, both fresh and old blood upon them, with a tear across the chest. "However, before attending the banquet, I should change into a fresh set of clothes."

Captain Liu took in the sight. Going to see the magistrate dressed like this would indeed be somewhat discourteous. "That is easily handled. I know a shop where the tailor is quite skilled. I'll take you there... You need not pay, young hero."

That last sentence was his true purpose.

Lu Zhaojin glanced at him. "No need. I have money."

Captain Liu forced a smile and said nothing more, merely leading the way ahead.

Inside that private room.

The young man had not expected Lu Zhaojin's senses to be so keen. He had merely taken one look, yet Lu Zhaojin had caught the direction of his gaze. "He could not do that before... It has been some time since I returned to Shiqiao Town. Once I obtain that century-old blood ginseng on the mountain and break through to the Seventh-Rank Realm, I should go home and take a look."

The young man watched Lu Zhaojin depart until he vanished from sight. Then his gaze shifted to that towering mountain peak. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his left hand's two fingers turning the ring on his index finger. He was determined to obtain that blood ginseng.

Clothes make the man, saddles make the horse.

Lu Zhaojin changed into the black fitted outfit and combed his hair anew, making his entire person look clean and sharp.

Moreover, the handsome youth reflected in the tall mirror was not merely well put together; his bearing was exceptional as well.

It lured the women who had entered the shop to choose silk and cloth into stealing glances at him, their eyes rippling with springtime affection.

Ignoring those gazes, Lu Zhaojin paid and left the shop. Captain Liu, waiting outside, saw the youth who seemed utterly transformed and was secretly astonished, but he was clumsy with words and could not think of any praise to offer.

Before long, Captain Liu brought Lu Zhaojin to the Zhao Family's inner residence.

There was a round table in the hall, laden mostly with precious dishes—bear paw, bird's nest, and other things Lu Zhaojin could not recognize, which surely were not cheap either.

There was no one else in the hall, only a middle-aged man.

That man was naturally Zhao Huaishui.

He wore a green robe and smiled, giving off a spring-breeze warmth. Yet his eyes were like a deep pool, impossible to see through.

Zhao Huaishui rose to greet him. "Young hero, please take a seat. Today, I specially sent people to invite the chef from Spring Breeze Tower. These are all his signature dishes, exquisite in flavor and unparalleled in our Qishan County."

As he spoke, he covertly glanced at Captain Liu.

Behind Lu Zhaojin, Captain Liu gave a slight shake of his head, then cupped his hands and withdrew. "Magistrate Zhao, I will go make my rounds."

Zhao Huaishui saw this, lowering his eyelids as though contemplating something.

Lu Zhaojin did not sit. He merely watched him.

He did not know what medicine Zhao Huaishui was selling in his gourd.

However, while changing clothes, he had used the experience gained from killing Mu Zhuo to improve the Golden Body Technique. It had officially reached the beginner stage.

Experience: 69

He had not tested how many pounds of force he possessed now, but his entire body had truly become as hard as bronze. Perhaps he could not defeat a Seventh-Rank Realm martial artist, but they would have no way to deal with him either.

Zhao Huaishui lifted the wine pot, intending to pour Lu Zhaojin a drink. "This banquet is to thank you, young hero, for saving Nuanyu's life. Please do not blame Nuanyu for being unable to offer you a drink herself. Her injuries are quite severe, and she still requires rest. She cannot drink wine."

A melancholy look appeared on his face as he continued, "Her mother passed away early. You could say I raised Nuanyu from childhood. If anything were to happen to her again, then as her father, I would be unable to absolve myself of blame. After death, I would have no face to meet her mother."

Lu Zhaojin felt a slight stir upon hearing this, but only that. He had no leisure to chat about family matters with Zhao Huaishui here. After all, his predecessor's father was still suffering up in the mountains.

Thus, he raised a hand to stop the wine pot and spoke bluntly. "Thank you for your kindness, Magistrate Zhao, but I do not drink. And there is no debt of gratitude between Zhao Nuanyu and me. It was merely a transaction; those two cultivation techniques were my reward. Once the techniques were in hand, money and goods were settled cleanly. This meal was not necessary."

Lu Zhaojin said seriously, "If Magistrate Zhao has nothing else to discuss, I shall take my leave."

Lu Zhaojin turned to leave.

Zhao Huaishui suddenly said, "Do you know why the Sihai Escort Agency was wiped out by the Zhang Family?"

Lu Zhaojin paused and looked back at him. "Why?"

This was indeed something that had troubled him.

Zhao Huaishui spoke a name. "Xu Huan."

Lu Zhaojin looked into his eyes. "Why should I believe you?"

Though this was their first meeting, Zhao Huaishui gave him the impression of someone with exceedingly deep schemes.

Lu Zhaojin's instincts were indeed correct.

Today, Zhao Huaishui had instructed Captain Liu to secretly send word to Mu Zhuo, letting him seek out Lu Zhaojin. No matter the outcome, Zhao Huaishui would not lose out.

If Mu Zhuo died, the Moon Wolf Gang's strength would be weakened.

If Lu Zhaojin were bullied by Mu Zhuo, Captain Liu could step in to save him, earning Lu Zhaojin's trust and making him easier to use.

What Zhao Huaishui had not expected was that Mu Zhuo would be killed by Lu Zhaojin so easily, utterly incapable of resisting.

But that also proved Lu Zhaojin was a blade sharp enough—clean and decisive when killing, yet one had to be wary of cutting oneself.

Therefore, while the blade was in his hand, it needed a sheath.

Zhao Huaishui smiled. "Whether you believe it is for you to judge. But Xu Huan once held a personal grudge against your father. As for the exact reason, I do not know."

Lu Zhaojin frowned deeply, maintaining his suspicion toward Zhao Huaishui's words. Yet then he heard Zhao Huaishui say, "Xu Huan once came to me. His purpose was simple: to ensure that the Sihai Escort Agency ceased to exist... I did not agree."

Then came last night's events, when the Zhang Family joined hands with the Zhao Family to massacre the Sihai Escort Agency.

In the fragments of his predecessor's memories, Lu Zhaojin had never found Lu Jinlin mentioning Xu Huan. He had no impression of the man whatsoever, so this matter required further investigation.

Lu Zhaojin asked, "Do you know who Xu Huan is?"

Zhao Huaishui shook his head. "Xu Huan's identity is far from simple. He is an adviser to the Third Prince and possesses cultivation at the Seventh-Rank Realm."

Lu Zhaojin had not expected the matter of the Sihai Escort Agency to involve a prince. However, those who deserved to die would die in the end, no matter sooner or later, no matter their status.

At the same time, he had little favorable impression of Magistrate Zhao before him.

Thus, after learning of Xu Huan, Lu Zhaojin did not remain long in the Zhao Family's inner residence and took his leave.

Not long after he departed.

Captain Liu returned. "Magistrate Zhao."

Zhao Huaishui tapped his fingers against the table, his gaze profound and dark. "This boy likely carries a great secret. Opening his apertures is not all there is to him. I fear he will not be easy to control. After he helps me eliminate the Zhang Family and the Zhao Family, you will strike in secret and kill him."

Captain Liu recalled what he had seen at the inn, and fear unexpectedly rose in his heart. After pondering for a moment, he said, "Magistrate Zhao, how about letting the young lady try getting close to him?"

Zhao Huaishui gave a cold snort. "He is nothing more than a mayfly."

Captain Liu said no more.